Samuel The Seer
1330 Words
The works for the drying kiln for the grains that were constructed in the courtyard had been completed. Farah, Firestone and the rest of the Priest and Priestesses from the Engineering Guild of Gracehaven along with the rest of us were elated as we officially announced the completion during the morning meeting.
Right after breakfast, the citizens assembled after stacking all the dining tables aside to make way for the benches as the morning meeting was rolled out.
"Since the construction of the drying kiln had been completed, Minister Ben would be deploying the manpower as required. The windmill would be operated only during the day and this leaves the 3 stations open and 2 stations after dark."
"There will be a safety briefing for the usage of the drying kiln for the grains so, in the meantime, it would be operated during the daytime only. Minister Ben and Priestesses Farah would brief the operators on the work sequences. Certain grains have varying drying timings so please do take note. Thank you."
There wasn't much difference in work order today and the citizens were eventually dismissed as they continued the work on the cold storage barn that was due to commence today.
=*=
After dinner, we all gathered at the courtyard to announce the grains drying kiln as well as the cold storage barns. During the intermission, some helpers were deployed to arrange the perishables inside the cold storage barns as Imelda had earlier activated the frost to be on the inside of the walls, thus keeping the insides cool.
Yup, just like the modern refrigeration systems that we have right now in the future except for the utilisation of electricity, of course, since it is non-existent at that time.
The citizens were introduced of the Cold Storage Barns and everyone knew of its functions well by then. A walkthrough within the barns by several of the citizens helped them to gain a better insight of things to come in the future.
The grains drying kiln was also very much welcomed as Farah and Firestone showed citizens on the proper usage as well as safety that need to adhere at all times.
"Please do not operate these two areas if you are influenced by drink, eh my dear friends. We won't want anyone to be either shrivelled up like a prune in the cold storage barns or being dried up like a roasted fish inside the drying kiln."
"We would not be held responsible if anyone of you enters here and decides to take your last doze off right after a night of heavy drinking."
"Besides, there would be a guard on standby here at the entrances just in case if you need to gain unlawful entry and the guard would definitely send you away, is that understood?"
Firestone raised his voice and announced to the citizens so that they would be forewarned beforehand. After making his announcement, I clapped in acknowledgement and soon the rest of the citizens joined in.
=*=
After the formal night conference had ended, the citizens mingled around to check out these operations of both the drying of the grain kiln as it had more complex operations compared to the cold storage barns.
Since it was a free and easy session for the citizens, they were free to ask questions as well as to get more in-depth information from the earlier introductory speech made by Firestone.
With the super seeds that we had sown on the crop fields and with the great help of Penelope as well as the time for each rotational harvest, the citizens knew the importance of having the grains drying kiln implemented in Gracehaven.
The future of Gracehaven depends on the number of grains inside the grainery!
=*=
Before we end the night and head back to our domain, we were approached by Andy and informed us that he had something to show us.
"What is it, lad? You can seem to wipe the grin off your face!"
"Hahaha...! That's right Your Majesty. I had just completed these set of arrowheads and I just wanted to show them to you and Sir Eagle first."
Eagle was handed a few of the arrowheads the was designed by Andy as part of his concussion arrowheads. It had a blunt tip and a point was attached to another adjoining part of the arrow.
"This front part of the concussion arrowhead. This end here is sharpened and acts as percussion cap. This joining is filled with gunpowder. Right now it's a dud so if its dropped on its point, nothing would happen."
Andy went on to explain the functions of the concussion arrowheads and would be doing a small demonstration tomorrow after breakfast.
"Alright... I don't see any problems with your implementation. How are you going to test this is effective against armoured personnel?"
"Well, Your Majesty... I could borrow a helm and put a squash or watermelon inside it. It would be like a soldier's head. A shot would be made at 100 paces directly and we would be able to see its effectiveness."
"That's great, Andy. Alright, you may do the preparation tomorrow and get Gwen to shoot your new concussion arrowheads tomorrow. This demonstration would be held after breakfast eh? Prepare a few more arrowheads then before sleep."
"Thank you, Your Majesty... I will prepare half a dozen concussion arrowheads tonight before sleep since I've got nothing else to do anyway."
"Goodnight, laddie. We might be expecting some visitors tomorrow before lunchtime then. We would be preparing some of the things as well too."
"Good night too Your Majesty... I'd be off now then. Cheers..."
We watched Andy bowed and then turned around on his heels as he hurriedly makes his way back to the blacksmith where he shared his workspace with Blacksmith Jack. That small cosy blacksmith is also the place where the Engineering Guild of Gracehaven was.
A place where all the Priest and Priestess congregate to discuss on the future projects and implement devices for the betterment of the citizens of Gracehaven.
=*=
"That laddie is full of ideas and he got a good way and concept of deadlier weapons, especially the arrowheads. He would prove to be useful in the long run and would be beneficial for Jack, after all."
"Yeah, I am sure that he would be essential for Jack at the moment. At least Jack has someone to talk to in common."
I agreed at what Eagle had mentioned and was also expecting the arrival of the new inductees from the nearby settlement.
"So, tomorrow is the day eh? How confident are you for them to accept us as their new friends and neighbours?"
Heather giggled at the way Eagle had twisted his words as if the new inductees would be of acceptance to us rather than the opposite.
"Well, Your Majesty... Only time will tell, right? We are not dealing with the young and dangerous, but people of an older generation so their perception might differ greatly."
"True... True... We will see tomorrow then. Alright... Off we go then. Have a great night then, Eagle."
"Toodles..."
Soon Heather and I held our hands together as we ascend the stairs that lead to our room. We peered over at the balcony and saw the remaining citizens were packing up the courtyard before they to head back to their respective houses.
The night view across the courtyard, the crop fields and the neatly arranged houses that were home to many was quite a splendour. It was surprising that we had managed to maintain peace and order close to a year right after setting foot in this piece of land.
"Well my dear, we hope this would be like this for many years to come then."
I sighed when I heard Heather had mentioned it since its hard for me to speak my mind when something was gnawing at me from within that can't be expressed in words.
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